Campaigners have slammed the Mayor of London’s decision to approve two “ridiculous” high-rise towers to reach affordable housing targets.

Sadiq Khan has approved plans to build 186 homes, of which 41 per cent will be affordable, in Palmerston Road, Wealdstone.

Two tower blocks will be constructed, with one reaching 17 storeys and the other 15.

Read more: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warns housing crisis in Harrow will take time to resolve.

The application was originally refused permission by Harrow Council’s planning committee but is one of the first to be “called in” by Mr Khan as Mayor.

He believes it will help solve the housing crisis in London, although the application will not meet his pre-election affordable housing target of 50 per cent.

Irene Wears, a member of Campaign For A Better Harrow Environment who lives in Whitehall Road, Harrow On The Hill, said the decision was “ridiculous”.

Ms Wears said: “Harrow will be well over its housing targets in the next couple of years but nobody is thinking about the long-term effects such as overcrowding doctors surgeries and a lack of school places.

“Harrow will be a wasteland and there will be nothing for people to do. Instead of money being invested in concerts or exhibitions in the borough, it will just be full of houses instead.”

Conservative councillor Susan Hall, the leader of Harrow Council’s Conservative group said the decision was “disrespectful” to people living nearby.

She said: “The Conservatives are devastated to hear Sadiq Khan has granted planning permission for the two 17-storey tower blocks in Wealdstone against the express wishes of Harrow’s planning committee.”

Mr Khan said: “Having carefully considered all the evidence available to me, I am confident this high density development will deliver hundreds of the much-needed, genuinely affordable homes Londoners need in areas of the capital ripe for further development.

“The development at Palmerston Road in Harrow also offers a high level of affordable housing, which is particularly important as we move towards my long-term strategic target of 50 per cent affordable homes.”